About Amy McElroy

Amy McElroy is a contributing editor and writer for Rewire Me. She has written for print, radio, and online publications such as The Bold Italic, The Billfold, Noodle, Cosmopolitan, BlogHer, and others. Her website, amyjmcelroy.net, lists her editorial services. She’s on twitter at @amyjmcelroy. Amy balances her work at the computer by teaching yoga and fitness.

Articles by Amy McElroy

Sand is eventually reduced to dust through wind erosion, so scientists have been searching for new sources that regenerate the sand dunes on Mars, given its lack of significant water and thin atmosphere. A new laboratory study shows small amounts of ice subjected to Martian summer temperatures and atmospheric pressure begin to boil and evaporate, levitating sand and transporting above the sediment; this type of erosion could explain the generation of new sand on the planet.

As DNA technology has advanced, wrongful convictions result from touch DNA and contamination, where tiny DNA samples may have transferred from someone other than the perpetrator of the crime. Furthermore, commercial software is further advancing technology without revealing important information about its processes, which could lead to more wrongful convictions.

Researchers have increased the number of known microbial genomes by nearly 10 percent and see likelihood for additional widespread discovery. The new microbes have added 20 new branches on the tree of life and could lead to substantial progress in evolutionary discoveries and practical advancements in various industries.

Astronomers have confirmed that asteroid 2016 HO3 is a quasi-satellite orbiting the sun and also circling the Earth in a unique configuration. The relatively nearby quasi-satellite may provide scientists opportunities for mining, observation, and further exploration in the future.

Twisted and stretched yarn made of carbon nanotubes can harvest energy when triggered by an electrolyte bath. This new technology has wide implications for use in wearables, to monitor patients’ health, and to harvest energy from the ocean and other waste sources in the future.

Scientists have developed nanomachines that are capable of targeting and drilling into cancer cells, and destroying them within one minute. After further research, this process may eventually be appropriate to treat a wide range of cancers, either by destroying the individual cells or by delivering treatment after permeating the cell membrane.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Elon Musk during his presenation at the Tesla Powerpack Launch Event at Hornsdale Wind Farm on September 29, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. Tesla will build the world's largest lithium ion battery after coming to an agreement with the South Australian government. The Powerpack project will be capable of an output of 100 megawatts (MW) of power at a time and the huge battery will be able to store 129 megawatt hours (MWh) of energy. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has promised to build the Powerpack in 100 days, or he will deliver it for free. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Technology giant Elon Musk has, once again, signed onto an open letter to the UN seeking a ban on autonomous weapons. He has been working with others in his field for years to draw international attention to the risk of an autonomous weapons race, and it appears we may be too late.

United States diplomats suffered symptoms such as hearing loss from a sonic device in Cuba. While the State Department investigation is ongoing, the sonic device likely used infrasound as an attempted surveillance method, perhaps placed there by the Russians.